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ig manon campusCalm exterior belies multitalented Avery’sburning passion for the gameby Chris Huntsports@carolinaweeklynewspapers.comFor Hopewell quarterback JustinAvery, football is serious business. Theultracompetitive Titan has uncommondrive, which hasn’t gone unnoticed bycoach Chris Rust.After transferring from CharlotteCountry Day School last year, Avery’sdedication and natural leadershipqualities quickly earned him the startingquarterback position.This summer, Avery’s demandingwork ethic has continued to impresshis coach. Avery spent his morningssweating through the Titans’ voluntaryworkout program.But the work didn’t end there.On his own, Avery returned to thefield in the evenings – encouraginga few teammates to join him alongthe way – to work on his game. Nowa senior, Avery doesn’t need coachesto motivate him through countlessfootwork, agility and passing drills. Achance to play college football is allthe inspiration he needs.“He’s a hard worker,” said Rust. “Heknows what he wants, and he goesafter it and gets it done. He wants toplay at the next level and get a topeducation.”Last season, the 6-foot-1,210-pounder was just as likely to knockover a defender for a tough yard as hewas to beat the defense in the passinggame. His tenacious running stylecaught linemen off guard and struckfear into defensive backs.Avery threw for 1,029 yards andeight touchdowns, but it was hisbone-crunching 578 yards and ninetouchdowns on the ground that keptopponents off balance, leading theTitans to an 8-5 record and the secondround of the Class 4AA playoffs.The fearless Avery was blessed withplenty of athletic ability – he’s alsothe Titans’ top returning defensiveplayer on the basketball team – but hesaid his mental strength is his mostdependable asset. He isn’t necessarilythe strongest player in the weightroom, yet he always seems to get thebest of a collision.“I think my strength running theball comes from my desire to win,”said Avery. “I’m a sore loser. I havethe instinct to make plays, and I liketo hit.”The mental gameLast season, Avery rarely stood nextto his teammates on the sidelinesduring games. While the Hopewelldefense was on the field, Avery couldbe found taking a knee with helmet inhand more than 20 yards away fromthe mass of teammates.But Avery isn’t antisocial, nor doeshe think his teammates are unworthyof his company; the analytical signalcallerjust needed time to reflect onthe previous series. He runs througheach play in his mind as if it were hispersonal film session, and he said heonly takes a knee so he can see aroundhis teammates’ wide shoulder pads.“I separate myself from the team soI can relax and analyze the game,” saidAvery. “I use the time to try to understandwhat worked well or what wentwrong during the previous series. Itake a knee instead of sitting on thebench so I can keep an eye on thegame.”This season, Avery will have littletime to perform his in-game ritual.Rust wants to use Avery’s playmakingability on both sides of theball. The Titans’ coach estimates thatAvery will play in 75 percent of thegame, getting time at quarterback andlinebacker.Avery tested the waters on defenselast fall. He thumped out 20 tacklesand picked off one pass in limited repsat defensive back. This season, however,Rust expects him to play muchmore on defense.“He’s so versatile,” said Rust. “Hecan play so many positions and is aleader on both sides of the ball. He’sdurable enough to play on both sides,but we won’t work him to death.”To give Avery a breather, junior ColeBlythe will see some action at quarterback.Blythe, more of a pocket passer,will give opponents a different lookwhile Avery and his explosive mobilityare on the sideline. Blythe was thejunior varsity starting quarterback lastseason and shows a lot of promise.“Justin is the starter,” said Rust, “butCole will give him a breather so hewon’t wear out.”Avery never raised an eyebrow aboutturning over plays toBlythe, even if on alimited basis. Mostquarterbacks mightapproach the situationdefensively, butAvery’s acceptancespeaks to his maturityand proves hiscommitment to theteam concept.Playing several differentpositions isn’tjust unselfish; it alsoallows Avery to showcollege recruitershis versatility. Hemost likely won’tplay quarterbackin college. Avery’sfather, Allen, saidrecruiters from Elonand Winston-SalemState universitieshinted he wouldplay linebacker atthe next level. Othercolleges, such asFurman, N.C. Centraland WesternCarolina are interested in Avery’s services,and that list could grow.Recruiters most likely will takenote of Avery’s competitiveness in theclassroom. Avery boasts a 4.4 GPA. Hescored a 1530 on the SAT, but he’s seta goal of 1700 for his next attempt thisfall. His current score just won’t do, hesaid.Needless to say, Avery’s academicsuccess has opened doors beyondfootball. If football isn’t an option, hewould be devastated, but studying atthe University of North Carolina atChapel Hill – the top school on hisacademic wish list – is a realistic possibility.After his playing days are over,he wants to be employed in the sportsfield in some form.“Academics are Plan A, and footballis Plan B,” said Avery. “I’m using footballto improve my academic options.(In turn), my grades will also give mea few more options (to play collegefootball).”Last year, Avery and his chemistrylab partner, Hopewell boys tennisplayer John David Curlis, shared afriendly rivalry to see who could earnHopewell senior Justin Avery will start the game at quarterback, but opponentsshould prepare to see him on both sides of the ball this season.the highest test scores. After each test,they compared scores to find out thewinner.But it’s not like Avery spiked histest and danced in Curlis’ face afteracing an exam. The reserved Averyrarely shows the intensity swirling inhis head. In fact, Rust wants Avery tobe more of a vocal leader this season.Avery, however, is more comfortableleading by example.“Sometimes people talk more thanthey produce,” said Avery. “I thinkpeople respond more to those whoaccomplish things on the field.”And if Avery’s theory holds true,there will be no doubt who’s theleader in the Hopewell locker room.Avery established his case in the finalfour games of the 2009 season, whichincluded the Titans’ two playoff games.Down the stretch, he completed 52percent of his passes for 428 yards andfour touchdowns. He also ran for 235yards (8.39 yards per carry) and fourscores.That’s some serious playing.And Avery expects to pick up thisseason where he left off last year. qTim Steadman/CWNG photowww.carolinaweeklynewspapers.comCAROLINA WEEKLY NEWSPAPER GROUP • FALL 2009 17